Civic Alliance: Business’ new lobbying voice

The Seattle business community used to throw its weight around with outfits given names like the Civic Builders and Central Association, but has seen its influence wane in recent years.

Seattle became a one-party town where candidates with successful business backgrounds are sometimes denounced for fraternizing with the politically incorrect.The newly formed Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy aims to change all that. The alliance, to be unveiled Wednesday afternoon, replaces the Alki Foundation, which has been the political voice of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

“Now is the time for Seattle employers to come together and create a united voice around the issues that are important to creating jobs and keeping our economy thriving,” George Allen, CASE’s executive director, said in a statement.

The broad-based founding membership of CASE embraces more than 40 businesses, from Cupcakes Royale to Vulcan, from the Seattle Mariners to the Seattle Restaurant Association.

Business can still sway statewide elections, e.g. successfully turning back a 2010 initiative that proposed a modest state income tax on the state’s wealthiest citizens.

And successful business figures can still squeeze out victories in Seattle Port Commission races, even after their past contributions to Republicans have been revealed.

In Seattle, however, candidates fight over the endorsements of labor unions and ultra-liberal activists in Democratic district organizations. Mayor Mike McGinn is a former head of the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The 2001 Seattle Mayor’s race saw incumbent Paul Schell, a successful developer, eliminated in the primary. Greg Nickels won a narrow victory with heavy backing from greens and labor.

Eight years later, voters bounced Nickels in the primary, and McGinn rode to victory on opposition to the deep bore tunnel that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The 2011 election features five Seattle City Council races, at least one tight King County Council test, a test-of-strength vote on the tunnel, and a major tussle for control of the Bellevue City Council.